WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 15, 13 October 1909, Page 65

WELLINGTON.

October 8. Welcome to Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. Of course, the Premier and Parliament have been the centres of interest lately, and town seems full of strangers who have come here for the session. Everyone is so glad to see Lady Ward back looking so well after such a hurried and tiring trip. AH the Premier’s party speak very highly of the treatment on H.M.s. Challanger, and the courteous manner in whieh the captain and officers concealed the very great discomfort to which they were subjected by the unexpected big influx of passengers was up to the best traditions of the navy. A party of friends went up to Palmerston to meet Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, and still another contingent boarded the train at Otaki, so all down the line they were greeted by friends. At the station here there was a big gatnering, the Seddons being strongly represented. Mrs Seddon had an afternoon tea at “Eccieston,” her big house off Moles-worth-streetj to welcome the travellers, bo they did not reach Awarua House until quite late.

A constant succession of entertainments has kept Lady Vvard busy since she returned, but early next week she hopes to get away again for a flying trip to Invercargill to pay a visit to her baby grandson.

Parliament Reassembles. xlie opening of Parliament on Thursday was rather a quiet affair. The days have gone by when it was quite a spectacular show, when H.E. the Governor and suite and a party from Government House, many naval and military officers, all the Consuls in their various uniforms, and numbers of gaily dressed ladies all combined to make a gay scene. On this occasion Lady Plunket was away in Christchurch. H.E. the Governor was attended by Capt. Shannon, Ali.C, and Mr. Waterfield. A small sprinkling of naval and military officers were 'present, but no consuls were visible to the onlooker, although they may have been inside the house. Owing to the limited room, only the wives of Ministers and member's were admitted. The former had seats on the floor of ■the House; the latter and a few favoured friends had to take their, chance of getting seats. Lady Ward and Mrs. Findlay were presented with bouquets by the Speaker; Lady Ward’s of yellow and white, tied with pale blue ribbon, toned admirably with her gown of mole face cloth, Marabout stole, and smart black hat, banded with black and finished with an aigrette and .knots of rose velvet; Mrs. Findlay wore white silk patterned in black, finely braided in silk and soutache, black lace coat, white feather boa, black picture hat with plumes, her bouquet was of pink and white flowers; Miss Ward, navy blue coat and skirt, handsome furs, large white hat, banded with black velvet, large pink roses; Mrs. It. McKenzie, Princess gown of pastel blue face cloth, with embroideries, blue tulle hat, with tiny pink roses ami an osprey; Mrs. Buddo, brown cloth tailor-made, braided in black, burnt straw hat, swathed in tulle; Miss Buddo, white lawn Empire gown, with touche* of black velvet, white hat swathed in blue; Mrs. Ngata, green tailor-made, brown hat with green ruehiitgs and tips; Mrs. Massey, handsome gown of black satin eharmeuse, grey ostrich feather stole, black toque with white tips. Amongst others present were: Mesdames Loughnan, Luke, Corliss, Field, Fisher, Taylor, Duncan,

Buick, Shirteliffe, Sinclair, Christie, Nathan, Misses Sinclair, Beatrice Day and Grace Palotta, the latter charmingly dressed. Small teas were given during the afternoon by Lady Ward! and Mrs. Findlay.

Lady Ward Entertained. Mrs. Findlay’s tea for Lady Ward was mainly a political affair, but it was not very big. Pink and white cherry blossom adorned the tea tables, and elsewhere there were masses of tulips and a quantity of daffodils. Lady Ward wore a mole-coloured tailor-made, very smartly braided, and a 'black picture hat; with her came Miss Ward, wearing dark blue and a white hat with pink roses and knots of black velvet. Mrs. Findlay wore black chiffon over ivory glace, relieved with palest blue velvet; Mrs. Corliss, amande Shantung, and green hat with wings; Mrs. Dr. Findlay, navy voile and pale blue hat with black cherries; Mrs. Dalziell, white cloth Direetoire coat and s'kirt braided in black, Leghorn hat massed with roses; Mrs. Christ’e, green cloth relieved with dull blue, blue and green hat; Mrs. T. Mackenzie, black crepe de chine, black and white hat; Miss Mackenzie, brown cloth and brown mushroom hat with shaded roses; Mrs. R. McKenzie, heather tweed, and pale blue hat with roses; Mrs. Buddo, brown tarlor-made faced with black, brown hat swathed with blaek tulle; Mrs. Seddon, black tailor-made and black 'toque; Miss R. Seddon, navy coat and skirt, blaek and white hat; Mrs. K. Gilmer, mole cloth tailor-made, and mote hat wreathed with roses; Mrs. Macarthy, white cloth Direetoire coat and skirt, Tuscan hat with roses; Mrs. W. Campbell, pale blue chiffon taffeta, and black picture hat; Mrs. Dyer, grey tweed, black hat w th cherries; Mrs. Robertson, paon blue Princess costume, and blue hat; Mrs. Freeth, petunia cloth, and hat of the same shade. ’Women’s Social and Political League.

A very successful “At Home” was given on Monday night by the Women’s Social and Political League, in order to welcome Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and Miss Ward. A congratulatory address was read by the Vice-President, Mrs Tasker. Pale blue and white festooned the hall, which was also decorated with tree ferns and palms. The supper table was gay with spring flowers, and conspicuous were the club’s colours, red and gold, which were represented in Lady Ward’s bouquet of tulips. Lady Ward wore a princess gown of black eharmeuse, encrusted with jet; Miss Eileen Ward, white Liberty satin, with pearl festoons and tassels; Mrs Seddon (patroness of the League) was in black; and so was Miss Seddon; Mrs. Findlay, black sequined net, and a Josephine scarf of beaten silver; Mrs Buddo, black satin and lace; Mrs T. Mackenzie, black crepe de chine and jet; Miss Mackenzie, sky blue eharmeuse, embroidered in silver; Mrs R. McKenzie, black velours princess robe, the guimpe and sleeves of ruched net; Mrs Tasker, otter brown eharmeuse, with dull gold embroideries; Mrs Moore, blaek figured taffetas; Mrs Browne, black jetted net; Mrs Luke, navy taffetas, with lace guimpe and sleeves; Mrs Dyer, black satin and jet; Mrs Murdoch (Kumara), vieux rose eolienne and lace; Miss Bauchop, saxe blue eharmeuse, with Oriental embroideries; Mrs K. Gilmer, blaek eolienne and Alencon laces; Mrs Evatt, green taffetas, Empire dress with touches of darker velvet; Mrs Corrigan, blaek satin and jet.

Bowling Festivities. Saturday was a glorious day, and the Wellington Bowling Club’s grounds were crowded with people, both players and spectators. Very delightful was the scene from the balcony, the green lawns dotted with white flannelled players and enlivened with gay blazers, while far away over the green hedges could be caught a distant view of the sea. The ladies were well looked after, as the balconies of the new pavilion were reserved for them and their friends, and in the big room at the rear Was afternoon tea. Mrs Mentiplay, wife of the president, wore black and white voile, with white tips in her blaek toque; Miss Mentiplay, pale blue chiffon voile, and white hat with flowers; Mrs Luke, navy taffeta, and dark blue hat; Mrs Blundell, black chiffon voile, aud black and white toque. On the same afternoon the Kelburne Club opened, and there was similar hospitality. On this occasion the ladies were not playing, as they have delayed their opening till next week. Mrs McVilly wore blue cloth braided in black, blue hat with black wings; Mrs Dawson, bis-

cuit coloured tailor-made, and hat with flowers; Mrs Monro, black eolienne and rose-coloured toque. Her Excellency Lady Plunket, three of her children, and Miss Hill passed through here on Monday en route to Christchurch. They arrived by the Main Trunk train and caught the Lyttelton steamer a few hours later. Lady Plunket and Miss Hill dined at Bishopscourt with the Bishop of Wellington ajid Mrs Wallis.

OPHELIA.